Here we are: installment #5 in our Guitar Hero series! This is still such a blast to check out these soundtracks and see how they grow with each game.
Guitar Hero 5 was released September 1st, 2009 for PS2, PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360. Developed by Neversoft and published by ActiVision, it was a rhythm and music based game that you could play alone with just your Gibson model controller or with up to three other people with the addition of bass guitar, drums, and vocals. Critics and players both liked it and enjoyed the addition of the other instruments as well. Guitar Hero 5 scored an average of 83 from MetaCritic and an average 7.9 out of 10 from IGN.
In this game, all songs are immediately playable instead of having to progress through story mode to unlock them one by one. You could import stuff from previous games into Guitar Hero 5, the first Guitar Hero game to be able to do so. Like with World Tour, this soundtrack is massive with a little something for everyone.
Guitar Hero 5 featured fourteen "gigs" on story mode, with setlists of between one and seven songs each set in a different venue. Like I've previous stated, I'm not a guitarist, so I won't be ranking the songs based on how fun or iconic they are to play. I did not own this game, so this list is new to me and I'm excited to look through it with ya'll. Let's jump right on in!
Gig 1: The 13th Rail
Gamma Ray by Beck
Original Album: Modern Guilt (2008)
Genre: Surf rock
Songwriters: B. Hansen
Do I Like It: I don't know why, but Beck has always confused me. I don't know if I like his stuff or not.
Song 2 by Blur
Original Album: Blur (1997)
Genre: Alternative rock
Songwriters: A. James, D. Albarn, D. Rowntree, G. Coxon
Do I Like It: Wait, Damon Albarn does stuff that isn't Gorillaz? That explains why this song is so catchy, the man knows what he's doing.
All Along the Watchtower by Bob Dylan
Original Album: John Wesley Harding (1967)
Genre: Folk rock
Songwriters: R. Dylan
Do I Like It: Yeah, this is definitely one of Dylan's best.
In My Place by Coldplay
Original Album: A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)
Genre: Alternative rock
Songwriters: C. Martin, G. Berryman, J. Buckland, W. Champion
Do I Like It: Not my favorite from Coldplay. It's fine, just kind of boring.
Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz
Original Album: Demon Days (2005)
Genre: Alternative rock
Songwriters: D. Jolicouer, B. Burton, D. Albarn, J. Hewlett
Do I Like It: I'm a Millennial, of COURSE I like Feel Good Inc.
They Say by Scars on Broadway
Original Album: Scars on Broadway (2008)
Genre: Nu metal
Songwriters: D. Malakian
Do I Like It: Yeah, probably because my husband loves these guys.
Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones
Original Album: Beggars Banquet (1968)
Genre: Samba rock
Songwriters: K. Richards, M. Jagger
Do I Like It: Oh yeah, this is probably my favorite Stones song.
Gig 2: Club Boson
Gratitude by Beastie Boys
Original Album: Check Your Head (1992)
Genre: Alternative rock
Songwriters: A. Horovitz, A. Yauch, M. Diamond, T. Cushman
Do I Like It: Eh, it's fine. Beastie Boys doesn't always hit for me.
Sowing Season (Yeah) by Brand New
Original Album: The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me (2006)
Genre: Alternative rock
Songwriters: J. Lacey, V. Accardi
Do I Like It: Slightly more dull than the rest of this set list, I was surprised.
Blue Day by Darker My Love
Original Album: 2 (2008)
Genre: Indie rock
Songwriters: R. Barbato, T. Presley
Do I Like It: Yeah alright, it's a banger.
Only Happy When It Rains by Garbage
Original Album: Garbage (1995)
Genre: Alternative rock
Songwriters: S. Manson, S. Marker, D. Erikson, B. Vig
Do I Like It: Honestly yeah, banger.
Hurts So Good by John Cougar
Original Album: American Fool (1982)
Genre: Pop rock
Songwriters: J. Mellencamp, G. Green
Do I Like It: This is a nice, classic sounding '80's bop.
Steady, As She Goes by The Raconteurs
Original Album: Broken Boy Soldiers (2006)
Genre: Garage rock
Songwriters: B. Benson, J. White
Do I Like It: I'm learning so much - I never knew this was also Jack White. Definitely a bop.
Blue Orchid by The White Stripes
Original Album: Get Behind Me Satan (2005)
Genre: Alternative rock
Songwriters: J. White
Do I Like It: Yeah, I'll add this to the list of White Stripes songs I like.
Gig 3: Sideshow
Cigarettes, Wedding Bands by Band of Horses
Original Album: Cease to Begin (2007)
Genre: Indie rock
Songwriters: R. Hampton, C. Barrett, B. Bridwell
Do I Like It: This was fine, but it feels way too long.
Fame by David Bowie
Original Album: Young Americans (1975)
Genre: Funk
Songwriters: D. Jones, C. Alomar, J. Lennon
Do I Like It: A classic, even if funk isn't the first thing that comes to mind when I hear David Bowie.
Woman From Tokyo by Deep Purple
Original Album: Who Do We Think We Are (1973)
Genre: Hard rock
Songwriters: I. Paice, I. Gillan, R. Glover, J. Lord, R. Blackmore
Do I Like It: Yeah, this was a banger, no doubt.
Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon
Original Album: Only by the Night (2008)
Genre: Alternative rock
Songwriters: C. Followill, N. Followill, J. Followill, M. Followill
Do I Like It: I completely forgot about this song, but it's a banger.
Ex-Girlfriend by No Doubt
Original Album: Return of Saturn (2000)
Genre: Ska
Songwriters: G. Stefani, T. Kanal, T. Dumont
Do I Like It: I've admittedly struggled with Gwen Stefani since the Blake Shelton/Miranda Lambert divorce, but this is a bop for sure.
Under Pressure by Queen & David Bowie
Original Album: Hot Space (1982)
Genre: Dance rock
Songwriters: D. Jones, B. May, J. Deacon, F. Mercury, R. Taylor
Do I Like It: Uh, duh.
Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry
Original Album: Wild Cherry (1976)
Genre: Funk rock
Songwriters: R. Parissi
Do I Like It: Who doesn't like this song at least a little bit?
Gig 4: Angel's Crypt
Dancing with Myself by Billy Idol & Generation X
Original Album: Don't Stop (1981)
Genre: New wave
Songwriters: W. Broad, T. James
Do I Like It: Oh absolutely, a rager if I ever heard one.
Comedown by Bush
Original Album: Sixteen Stone (1994)
Genre: Post grunge
Songwriters: G. Rossdale
Do I Like It: Honestly, it sounds like it's trying too hard to be Nirvana.
Never Miss a Beat by Kaiser Chiefs
Original Album: Off with Their Heads (2008)
Genre: Indie rock
Songwriters: R. Wilson, S. Rix, A. White, N. Baines, N. Hodgson
Do I Like It: It's alright, just not my cup of tea.
Shout It Out Loud by Kiss
Original Album: Destroyer (1976)
Genre: Hard rock
Songwriters: R. Ezrin, P. Stanley, G. Simmons
Do I Like It: Just a classic Kiss song.
Mirror People by Love and Rockets
Original Album: Earth Sun Moon (1986)
Genre: Indie rock
Songwriters: D. Ash, K. Haskins, D. Jay
Do I Like It: It took a second, but I liked it alright. It feels like a precursor to Djo's sound.
Send a Little Love Token by The Duke Spirit
Original Album: Neptune (2008)
Genre: Garage rock
Songwriters: L. Moss
Do I Like It: Eh, not super exciting for me.
Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down
Original Album: The Better Life (2000)
Genre: Post grunge
Songwriters: B. Arnold, T. Harrell, M. Roberts
Do I Like It: Hell yeah, I'm a Millennial, I remember when this was brand new.
Gig 5: O'Connell's Corner
You and Me by Attack! Attack!
Original Album: Attack! Attack! (2008)
Genre: Alternative rock
Songwriters: M. Griffiths, R. Day, W. Davies, N. Starr
Do I Like It: This was fun, and had that tell tale late 00's punk/emo sound to it that's always a good time.
You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi
Original Album: Slippery When Wet (1986)
Genre: Glam metal
Songwriters: R. Sambora, D. Child, A. Varkatzas, J. Bongiovi, B. Seller, D. Jacobs, T. Miguel
Do I Like It: Absolutely, always a banger.
Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits
Original Album: Dire Straits (1978)
Genre: Pub rock
Songwriters: M. Knopfler
Do I Like It: This was giving a weird mix of Springsteen and Dylan and I don't think I hated it?
L.A. by Elliott Smith
Original Album: Figure 8 (2000)
Genre: Indie rock
Songwriters: S. Smith
Do I Like It: The music is giving Bob Dylan and the vocals are giving Beatles a little bit.
Plug In Baby by Muse
Original Album: Origin of Symmetry (2001)
Genre: Alternative rock
Songwriters: M. Bellamy
Do I Like It: Adding this to the long column of Muse Songs I Like.
Superstition by Stevie Wonder
Original Album: Talking Book (1972)
Genre: Funk
Songwriters: S. Morris
Do I Like It: Hell yes, always with this song.
Make It Wit Chu by Queens of the Stone Age
Original Album: Era Vulgaris (2007)
Genre: Blues rock
Songwriters: J. Homme, A. Johannes, M. Melchiondo, J. Castillo, T. Van Leeuwen
Do I Like It: I really like the groove on this one a lot.
In the Meantime by Spacehog
Original Album: Resident Alien (1995)
Genre: Alternative rock
Songwriters: R. Langdon
Do I Like It: It sounds like if Muse tried to do soft rock.
Gig 6: The Aqueduct
The Rock Show by Blink-182
Original Album: Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001)
Genre: Pop punk
Songwriters: T. DeLonge, M. Hoppus, T. Barker
Do I Like It: Absolutely, it's Blink-182.
Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran
Original Album: Rio (1982)
Genre: New wave
Songwriters: A. Taylor, N. Rhodes, J. Taylor, R. Taylor, S. Le Bon
Do I Like It: It's an '80s classic, even if the vocal effects are a little weird to a modern ear.
Bleed American by Jimmy Eat World
Original Album: Bleed American (2001)
Genre: Punk rock
Songwriters: J. Adkins, R. Burch, T. Linton, Z. Lind
Do I Like It: Eh, The Middle is significantly better.
Looks That Kill by Mötley Crüe
Original Album: Shout at the Devil (1983)
Genre: Heavy metal
Songwriters: N. Sixx
Do I Like It: Pretty much what I'd expect from '80s metal, not bad.
Jailbreak by Thin Lizzy
Original Album: Jailbreak (1976)
Genre: Hard rock
Songwriters: P. Lynott
Do I Like It: It's okay, sounds like pretty typical '70s rock.
Why Bother? by Weezer
Original Album: Pinkerton (1996)
Genre: Alternative rock
Songwriters: R. Cuomo
Do I Like It: Meh, not my favorite.
Gig 7: Guitarhenge
Lonely Is the Night by Billy Squier
Original Album: Don't Say No (1981)
Genre: Rock
Songwriters: W. Squier
Do I Like It: This sounds like something Greta Van Fleet would be inspired by.
Wannabe in L.A. by Eagles of Death Metal
Original Album: Heart On (2008)
Genre: Garage rock
Songwriters: J. Hughes, J. Homme
Do I Like It: I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it was not this.
Lithium by Nirvana
Original Album: Nevermind (1991)
Genre: Grunge
Songwriters: K. Cobain
Do I Like It: Not bad, but not the first song I think of when thinking about Nevermind.
Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
Original Album: Nevermind (1991)
Genre: Grunge
Songwriters: K. Cobain, K. Novoselic, D. Grohl
Do I Like It: Here it is, the undisputed grunge anthem.
Nearly Lost You by Screaming Trees
Original Album: Sweet Oblivion (1992)
Genre: Grunge
Songwriters: M. Lanegan, V. Conner, G. Conner
Do I Like It: Eh, calling this grunge on the same list as Nirvana doesn't feel quite right to me, but ok.
All The Pretty Faces by The Killers
Original Album: Sawdust (2007)
Genre: Alternative rock
Songwriters: B. Flowers, M. Stoermer, R. Vannucci, D. Keuning
Do I Like It: The Killers are good as usual, but this song just doesn't hit for me like some of their other stuff does.
Gig 8: Neon Oasis
Bring the Noise 20XX by Public Enemy ft. Zakk Wylde
Original Album: It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)
Genre: Hip hop
Songwriters: C. Ridenhour, E. Sadler, H. Shocklee
Do I Like It: Never in a million years would I have expected to see Public Enemy on a Guitar Hero game, but hey, the song's good.
Du hast by Rammstein
Original Album: Sehnsucht (1997)
Genre: Neue Deutsche Härte
Songwriters: C. Lorenz, T. Lindemann, C. Schneider, P. Landers, R. Kruspe, O. Riedel
Do I Like It: Hell yeah, I heard this the first time in high school and it still slaps.
What I Got by Sublime
Original Album: Sublime (1996)
Genre: Ska punk
Songwriters: B. Nowell, L. Roberts, E. Wilson, F. Gaugh
Do I Like It: Yes, and I'm really annoyed about it.
Seven by Sunny Day Real Estate
Original Album: Diary (1994)
Genre: Emo
Songwriters: D. Hoerner, J. Enigk, N. Mendel, W. Goldsmith
Do I Like It: '90s emo sonds a lot more like grunge or punk, but sure. It's a little long, though.
20th Century Man by T. Rex
Original Album: 20th Century Boy - Single (1973)
Genre: Glam rock
Songwriters: M. Bolan
Do I Like It: Yeah, this is fun '70s rock for sure.
A-Punk by Vampire Weekend
Original Album: Vampire Weekend (2008)
Genre: Indie pop
Songwriters: C. Baio, C. Tomson, E. Koenig, R. Batmanglij
Do I Like It: Oh yeah, sometimes it really can be fun to be transported back to high school.
Gig 9: Electric Honky Tonk
Disconnected by Face to Face
Original Album: Don't Turn Away (1992)
Genre: Skate punk
Songwriters: T. Keith, M. Riddle
Do I Like It: The instrumentation was giving Blink-182 a little bit, so that was fun.
We're an American Band by Grand Funk Railroad
Original Album: We're an American Band (1973)
Genre: Hard rock
Songwriters: D. Brewer
Do I Like It: Another one I wasn't expecting to sound like this, but it's great.
Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash
Original Album: Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash (1963)
Genre: Country
Songwriters: J. Cash, M. Kilgore
Do I Like It: An eternal banger.
One Big Holiday by My Morning Jacket
Original Album: It Still Moves (2003)
Genre: Indie rock
Songwriters: J. James
Do I Like It: I really liked the opening drum and guitar lines a lot, it set the tone for the rest of the song really well.
Bullet with Butterfly Wings by The Smashing Pumpkins
Original Album: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995)
Genre: Alternative rock
Songwriters: W. Corgan
Do I Like It: Sometimes Smashing Pumpkins can be a little boring for me, but this one I liked.
Gig 10: Calavera Square
No One to Depend On by Santana
Original Album: Santana III (1971)
Genre: Latin rock
Songwriters: M. Carabello, G. Rolie, J. Escovedo
Do I Like It: Pretty sure I'm usually going to like Santana. Also didn't know this was where Vitamin C sampled the chorus of Me Myself & I from.
Incinerate by Sonic Youth
Original Album: Rather Ripped (2006)
Genre: Alternative rock
Songwriters: L. Ranaldo, T. Moore, K. Gordon, S. Shelley
Do I Like It: Not too shabby, this was a bop. It did feel a little long, though.
So Lonely by The Police
Original Album: Outlandos d'Amour (1978)
Genre: Reggae rock
Songwriters: G. Sumner
Do I Like It: Not my favorite Police or Sting song, to be honest.
Maiden, Mother & Crone by The Sword
Original Album: Gods of the Earth (2008)
Genre: Heavy metal
Songwriters: J. Cronise, K. Shutt
Do I Like It: Maybe I need to try more of The Sword's music, because these couple of songs I've heard from these games have been pretty good.
Runnin' Down a Dream by Tom Petty
Original Album: Full Moon Fever (1989)
Genre: Heartland rock
Songwriters: J. Lynne, M. Campbell, T. Petty
Do I Like It: Tom Petty knew what was up. What a banger.
Wolf Like Me by TV on the Radio
Original Album: Return to Cookie Mountain (2006)
Genre: Art rock
Songwriters: T. Adebimpe
Do I Like It: Eh, this one was a little weird for me.
Gig 11: Cairo Bazaar
Medicate by AFI
Original Album: Crash Love (2009)
Genre: Alternative rock
Songwriters: A. Carson, D. Marchand, H. Burgan, J. Puget
Do I Like It: It's no Miss Murder, but it's fine.
Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) by Elton John
Original Album: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
Genre: Glam rock
Songwriters: E. John, B. Taupin
Do I Like It: Elton John is ALWAYS going to be a great time over here.
Streamline Woman by Gov't Mule
Original Album: High & Mighty (2006)
Genre: Southern rock
Songwriters: W. Haynes
Do I Like It: Honestly yeah, it's a banger.
Sneak Out by Rose Hill Drive
Original Album: Moon is the New Earth (2008)
Genre: Hard rock
Songwriters: D. Sproul, J. Sproul, N. Barnes
Do I Like It: This was ok, the vocals didn't quite match the vibe of the instrumentation for me, though.
Younk Funk by The Derek Trucks Band
Original Album: Out of the Madness (1998)
Genre: Blues rock
Songwriters: D. Trucks, J. Herring
Do I Like It: Yeah, it's alright. Nice instrumental piece, and I like the bass line a lot.
Back Round by Wolfmother
Original Album: Cosmic Egg (2009)
Genre: Hard rock
Songwriters: A. Stockdale
Do I Like It: Not bad. The main guitar riff is fun.
Gig 12: The Golden Gate
Judith by A Perfect Circle
Original Album: Mer de Noms (2000)
Genre: Hard rock
Songwriters: W. Howerdel, M. Keenan
Do I Like It: Whoa, this one's pretty good. Big plus that I like Maynard Keenan's vocals.
Brianstorm by Arctic Monkeys
Original Album: Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)
Genre: Surf rock
Songwriters: A. Turner
Do I Like It: Not my favorite from Arctic Monkeys.
2 Minutes to Midnight by Iron Maiden
Original Album: Powerslave (1984)
Genre: Heavy metal
Songwriters: B. Dickinson, A. Smith
Do I Like It: Just some good ol' 80s metal.
Six Days a Week by The Bronx
Original Album: The Bronx (2008)
Genre: Punk rock
Songwriters: M. Caughthran, J. Ford, B. Magers, J. Vik, K. Horne
Do I Like It: Not bad, don't really see it as punk, though.
Deadbolt by Thrice
Original Album: The Illusion of Safety (2002)
Genre: Post hardcore
Songwriters: D. Kensrue, E. Breckenridge, R. Breckenridge, T. Teranishi
Do I Like It: Eh, the thin vocals kind of killed this one for me.
American Girl by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Original Album: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (1976)
Genre: Power pop
Songwriters: T. Petty
Do I Like It: I liked the other Tom Petty entry a little more, but still good.
Gig 13: Fjord of Swords
Done with Everything, Die for Nothing by Children of Bodom
Original Album: Blooddrunk (2008)
Genre: Melodic death metal
Songwriters: A. Laiho
Do I Like It: Nah, this wasn't it.
DEMON(S) by Darkest Hour
Original Album: Deliver Us (2007)
Genre: Melodic death metal
Songwriters: J. Henry, P. Burnette, R. Parrish, M. Schleibaum, K. Norris
Do I Like It: Eh, I've heard better metal.
Lust For Life by Iggy Pop
Original Album: Lust for Life (1977)
Genre: Garage rock
Songwriters: J. Osterberg, D. Jones
Do I Like It: Yeah, it's a bop, of course.
Scatterbrain by Jeff Beck
Original Album: Performing This Week: Live at Ronnie Scott's (2008)
Genre: Blues rock
Songwriters: J. Beck, M. Middleton
Do I Like It: I respect the hell out of the musicianship, it's just way too chaotic for me to listen to on my own.
Sweating Bullets by Megadeth
Original Album: Countdown to Extinction (1992)
Genre: Heavy metal
Songwriters: D. Mustaine
Do I Like It: Megadeth's a little weird for me, ngl.
Do You Feel Like We Do by Peter Frampton
Original Album: Frampton's Camel (1973)
Genre: Pop
Songwriters: P. Frampton, R. Wills, M. Gallagher, J. Siomos
Do I Like It: Yeah, it was good. Little heavy to be called pop in my opinion but it's good.
The Spirit of Radio by Rush
Original Album: Permanent Waves (1980)
Genre: New wave
Songwriters: N. Peart, G. Weinrib, A. Živojinović
Do I Like It: My husband and I spent the whole song trying to figure out if this was the same chord progression as Don't Stop Believin'.
Gig 14: Hypersphere
21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson
Original Album: In the Court of the Crimson King (1969)
Genre: Progressive rock
Songwriters: G. Lake, I. McDonald, M. Giles, P. Sinfield, R. Fripp
Do I Like It: I had no idea this song was from the '60s; it's crazy but in a good way.
If you made it all the way to the end here, thank you so much and I hope you found some awesome new music to check out or old favorites to revisit. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!
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